A Chronicle of English Literary Periodicals
The Tatler (1709–1711)
Founded by Richard Steele, with significant contributions from Joseph Addison, The Tatler emerged three times a week, blending political and literary commentary. This periodical was instrumental in shaping modern journalism and popularizing the periodical essay format that would become a hallmark of 18th-century English literature.
The Spectator (1711–1712)
Following The Tatler, Joseph Addison and Richard Steele continued their influential collaboration with The Spectator. A daily publication, its stated aim was to "enliven morality with wit, and to temper wit with morality." It greatly appealed to the burgeoning middle class and became a cornerstone of London's vibrant coffeehouse culture, fostering intellectual discussion and refined taste.
The True Patriot (1745–1746)
Edited and largely contributed to by Henry Fielding, The True Patriot was a weekly newspaper launched during the Jacobite Rebellion. It served as a powerful tool of Whig propaganda, characterized by its sharp satire and staunch support for the Hanoverian government. The government even purchased large quantities for free distribution to influence public opinion.
The Jacobite's Journal (1747-1748)
Also helmed by Henry Fielding, The Jacobite's Journal followed the rebellion's defeat. Through ironic commentary, Fielding continued his engagement with political satire, often lampooning Jacobite sympathies and solidifying his reputation as a master of prose and social critique.
The Monthly Review (1749–1845)
Founded by Ralph Griffiths, The Monthly Review holds the distinction of being one of the earliest English literary reviews. It played a crucial role in disseminating and shaping public literary opinion by providing critical assessments of new books across various genres.
The Rambler (1750–1752)
Samuel Johnson was the towering figure behind The Rambler, a bi-weekly periodical dedicated to moral and philosophical topics. His profound essays within its pages profoundly influenced subsequent generations of English essayists and moralists, solidifying his intellectual legacy.
The Critical Review (1756–1815)
Edited by the novelist Tobias Smollett, The Critical Review offered a more conservative counterpoint to The Monthly Review. Smollett famously used its platform to champion his own literary viewpoints and engage in spirited critiques of his rivals, reflecting the often-contentious literary landscape of the era.
The Lounger (1785–1787)
A Scottish periodical founded by Henry Mackenzie, The Lounger maintained a moral and literary focus, adhering to the well-established 18th-century tradition of the periodical essay. It offered insights into Scottish intellectual life during this period.
The Edinburgh Review (1802–1925)
Established by Francis Jeffrey, The Edinburgh Review was a powerful force in the early 19th century. It became instrumental in promoting Romantic writers such as William Wordsworth and Walter Scott, celebrated for its rigorous critical standards and extensive long-form literary criticism that shaped literary discourse for decades.
The Examiner (1808–1881)
Founded and initially edited by Leigh Hunt and his brother John Hunt, The Examiner was a radical weekly that championed social and political reform, advocating for causes like the abolition of the slave trade and Catholic emancipation. It also played a crucial role in introducing the works of nascent Romantic poets like Percy Bysshe Shelley and John Keats to a wider audience. Notable later editors included Albany Fonblanque and John Forster, and it featured contributions from literary giants like Charles Dickens, William Makepeace Thackeray, and John Stuart Mill.
The Quarterly Review (1809–1902)
Founded by John Murray, The Quarterly Review was established as a prominent Tory counterpoint to the Whig-leaning Edinburgh Review. It actively supported and defended the works of Romantic poets such as Samuel Taylor Coleridge and Robert Southey, providing a robust conservative voice in literary criticism.
Blackwood's Magazine (1817–present)
Under the stewardship of its founder William Blackwood, Blackwood's Magazine gained renown for its bold, often satirical tone and its unwavering support for conservative values. It was also an early and significant publisher of Gothic fiction and insightful psychological essays, contributing to the development of these genres.
Fraser's Magazine (1830–1882)
Founded by James Fraser, Fraser's Magazine presented both political and literary criticism, maintaining a distinctly Tory stance. It famously provided an early platform for many of William Makepeace Thackeray's works, showcasing his emerging talent.
The Germ (1850)
The Germ was intimately associated with the revolutionary Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood, including figures like Dante Gabriel Rossetti and William Michael Rossetti. Although only four issues were ever published, it served as a vital mouthpiece for the Brotherhood's artistic ideals, featuring their poetry, fiction, and critical essays.
The Cornhill Magazine (1859–present)
Founded by William Makepeace Thackeray, The Cornhill Magazine became one of the first truly mass-market literary magazines. It successfully serialized works by hugely popular authors such as Anthony Trollope, Elizabeth Gaskell, and George Eliot, bringing their narratives to a broad readership.
The Strand Magazine (1891–1950)
Founded by George Newnes, The Strand Magazine is most famously associated with Arthur Conan Doyle's iconic Sherlock Holmes stories, which were prominently featured and serialized within its pages. Known for its distinctive illustrations and popular fiction, it became a household name for thrilling narratives.
The Yellow Book (1894–1897)
Edited by Henry Harland with striking artwork by Aubrey Beardsley, The Yellow Book was a symbol of the fin de siècle's avant-garde aesthetic and its association with the Decadent movement. Beardsley’s distinctive art and a general Wildean sensibility cemented its status as a quintessential publication of Aestheticism.
The Little Review (1914–1929)
Founded by Margaret Anderson and co-edited by Jane Heap, The Little Review was a trailblazer in publishing experimental modernist literature. Its bold serialization of James Joyce's Ulysses famously led to obscenity trials, highlighting its commitment to pushing literary boundaries.
The Criterion (1922–1939)
Under the astute editorship of T.S. Eliot, The Criterion became an immensely influential literary journal during the modernist era. It published foundational works by Eliot himself, including "The Waste Land," and showcased other luminaries such as Virginia Woolf, Ezra Pound, E.M. Forster, and W.B. Yeats, aiming to foster high critical standards and a transnational intellectual community.
The New Yorker (1925–present)
Founded by Harold Ross, The New Yorker has long been renowned for its exceptional literary fiction, insightful journalism, sharp satire, and iconic cartoons. It has published major American writers like J.D. Salinger and John Updike, and continues to be a leading cultural publication in the United States.
The Paris Review (1953–present)
Co-founded by George Plimpton, Peter Matthiessen, Harold L. Humes, and Donald Hall, The Paris Review is celebrated for its groundbreaking "Writers at Work" interviews, offering unparalleled insights into the creative process. It has published early or significant works by literary giants such as Ernest Hemingway and Jack Kerouac, fostering a vibrant literary dialogue.
The New Left Review (1960–present)
Founded by Stuart Hall, The New Left Review is a critical intellectual journal that focuses on politics, sociology, and cultural theory from a left-wing perspective. Under editors like Perry Anderson, it has profoundly influenced academic and political discourse globally, featuring contributions from thinkers like Fredric Jameson.
The London Review of Books (1979–present)
Founded by Karl Miller, The London Review of Books stands as one of the most prominent literary journals in the UK. It consistently publishes rigorous essays, comprehensive reviews, and incisive political commentary by leading intellectuals, making it a crucial voice in contemporary British intellectual life.
n+1 (2001–present)
Co-founded by Keith Gessen, Benjamin Kunkel, Mark Greif, and Chad Harbach, n+1 is a contemporary American literary magazine that skillfully combines cultural criticism with political commentary. It has gained significant influence among contemporary literary intellectuals for its distinctive voice and intellectual rigor.
Comments
Post a Comment